System for irrigation



Jan. i5, 1946. P. D

SYS

Filed Nov. 19,l 1940 E LAcY-MULHALL. 2,393,091

ATTORNEY Jan. 1,5, n1946. P. DE L AcY-MULHALL. 2,393,091

SYSTEM Fon IRRIGATI'N Filed Nov. 19, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 57 l' VN WHY"ww infill/71.

null/Illia BY M0 ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1946.

` P; DE LAcYMuL||ALL SYSTEM FoR IRRIGATION Filed Nov. 19,

4 sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOK ATTORNEY Jan- "15, 1946- P. DE LACYMULHALL2,393,091

SYSTEM FOR` IRRIGATION Filed Nov. 19, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 PatentedJan. 15, 1946 VaIVe seat 4 arranged in the 'bof-.

ejected from these members II and I2. They can conveniently be fastenedin place from the inside of the top portion 1, since this top portion 1is releasably connected to the hollow body 8, as by the aid of thethreaded portion I3.

The hollow body 8 is formed with an annular bottom flange I4, as well asa downwardly directed central sleeve. I5 through which the water entersinto the body '8. The central sleeve I5 is preferably mountedforrotation in the top cover I5 of the casing 5. For this purpose thetop cover IS can be provided with a vertical extension I1, and anapertured top flange I8 through which the sleeve I5 extends.

In order to form a protecting apron around the sprinkler head, a tubularextension I9 is provided, fastened as by threads at its lower end to theexterior of the cover I6. This apron I9 can be provided with anappropriate upper ange 2E! arranged to be ush with the top 1 of thesprinkler when the sprinkler is in the retracted position shown in Fig.1.

The sprinkler head can, if desired, be urged upwardly by the pressure ofthe water passing through the aperture 6 into themechanism.v In this wayit is possible, while the sprinkler is inactive, to have it loweredbelow the turf if the sprinkler is used on a golf course or similargrounds; and to rise or pop up in order to clear the grass when it is inuse. To permit this rise, the sleevel I5 is further guided within asleeve or hub 2 I, as by the aid of a lower iiange V22 extending aroundthe bottom edge of the sleeve I5. A sealing washer 23 can be placedinside the annular space 24 between members I5 and 2l. washer 23 isrestrained against removal by the top flange I8 of the extension I1. Thewasher 23 can be assembled inside of sleeve member 2I prior to thejoining of sleeve I5 in the bottom of the sprinkler head 8. The wateracts against the flange 22 to raise it so that the entire sprinkler headis elevated and'within the limits prescribed by the ange I8. n y

Furthermore, a-mechanism is provided for rotating the entire sprinklerhead Ywhen, water enters through the aperture 6. For this purpose thewater serves to rotate a bucket wheel 25. This bucket wheel `is shownmost lclearly in Fig, 10. It is joined to a hub 26 rotatably mountedkupon a vertical stub shaft 21 extending throughrthe hub 26. The bucketwheel is geared to the sprinkler head 8 for driving it in a manner 4tobe hereinafter described. Water is iedin the proper direction to actuatebucket'wheel 25'by the provision of a nozzle structure or wheel 28,shown in detail in Figs. 11 and l2. This nozzle structure. is heldtightly against' rotation within the casing`5, and is urged against ashoulder 29 Drovided bya fitting 38. This fitting 36 is formedintegrally with the valve seat member 4, and is threaded into conduit 3I. This conduit 3l in turn is joined in fluid tight relationship withthe conduit I by v'the aid ofV an appropriate coupling structure 32.

The nozzle Vmember 28 is conned against shoulder 29v by a `spacerring`33 placed above it. This ring canbe al split resilient bandfrictionally engaging the interior of casing 5.V Furthermore, thisnozzle structure includes a downwardly extending socket member 34 inwhich the extension 35; off bucket wheel 25 is rotatable. The shaft 2 1is also supported within the downwardly extendingvportion 34.'

The nozzle member'28 shown in this instance Y as having an upper andlower'portion 36 and 31' respectively,deiining in this instance sixnozzle openings 38 having anv axis oblique to the top surface of thenozzle structure 28. The nozzle structure 28 is made in two parts, sothat it may be formed of appropriate castings, and to make it possibleto remove the cores required to form the nozzle apertures 38.Furthermore, the planes of division 39 between the upper and lowerplates 36 and 31 around the nozzle apertures 38, are substantiallytransverse to the axes of the apertures so that accurate abuttingsurfaces can be This c# formed between the two plates 36 and 31 aroundthese apertures.

It is apparent that Water passing through aperture 6 emerges above thenozzle structure 28 adjacent the periphery of this nozzle structure andacts to rotate the Wheel 25 by pressure against th'e buckets 4B. Thismotion is reduced so as to impart a comparatively slow rate of rotationof sprinkler head 8, as by the use of planetary gearing.

For example, the bucket wheel 25 can be provided with an upper flange4I. This iiange can carry a planetary pinion 42 on a stub shaft 43.

, This planetary pinion 42, at its lower portion, acts on a stationaryinternally toothed wheel 44 Whereby a positive rotation of pinion 42 isobtained.V

This wheel 44 is held rmly against rotation between spacer rings 33 'and45 in contact with Vthe interior cylindrical surface of casing 5. The

upper portion of pinion 42 meshes with a rotatable internal gear Wheel46. This gear wheel has a diierent number of teeth than the stationaryWheel 44. For example, if gear wheel 44 has thirty-'one teeth and gearwheel 45 has thirtytwo teeth, it is obvious that bucket wheel 25 mustrotate thirty-two times in order to drive wheel 45 through onerevolution. e

Th'e wheel 45 is provided with a hub 41 as well as a sleeve 48 whichextends downwardly to rest upon an annular shoulder 49, formed as a bosson the top flange 4I of bucket wheel 25. Hub 41 is freely rotatable onpost 21.

In order further to reduce the speed of the said system, a planetarygearing is provided between wheel 46 and sleeve I5. vThus wheel 46 cansupport a planetary pinion 50 freely rotatable on a stationary stubshaft in a manner entirely similar to the support of this planetarypinion 42. The lower portion of this planetary pinion meshes with astationary internal gear 5I shown in this instance as urged against thespacer ring 45. The upper portion of the planetary pinion' 5B mesheswith a wheel52. In this case also, the ratio of reduction may be oftheorder of one to thirty-two. The wheel 52 is arranged to be placed indriving relation with respect to the sleeve I5, as by the aid of a yokeor spokes 53 joined to the hub 54. In this hub the shaft 21 can bethreaded, so that this shaft is rotated by wheel 52. All of the hubs 54,51 and 26 are arranged one above the other. The sleeve 2I is shown asjoined to the top flange 55 of wheel '52, and is rotatable within theextension I1. The sleeve I5 is provided with slottedv arms 5E throughwhich the yoke 53 passes, thereby providing a driving connection tosleeve I5 for either the retracted position shown,

or the upwardly projected position of the head r8.*

It should also be noted that the sleeves ZI, 48 and boss 49 form acontinuous central opening for the,` egress of water f rom'the bucketwheel 25 into and through the interior'of sleeve I5. `Also;

the top flanges, such as 4IA and 55, for the gears,

The edge of.

entry rclucti wf nozzle 3 and ff@ arem h less than thexa're of the thereis in 'inieasein 'pressurefwithi I ie head `*THevalve closure vis sn'ownas formed of a yielding'lne'njlber, Vsuch as'rubloenhm o 'fer alleatiSlyfasb'ythe aid of a cup''thradedoverf the head 5 1; `r In `orderfurther to migliaia the' valve ciou es in piace, @plate 59 caribepiacediithe i masias we atrofia center of the olosure m'ernber'and'lld'in' plae 'T "open andclose the Valve, utiliaation is made forms onepart 'of a fluidpist'of'oberatng in a' anopposite snoullen 63 to com lneanjexpansilqle hllwg'fildingpiston ring B." The "should'r's terrorcyundricar*extension as as by the" aid of Vthe "radial 4aber?, uresfV 66'in said `rneinloe r '155.55` Fluid pressure is prmitted'to'enterth'ehollow'.u

lealing to tli'einterio of conduit @f I-andfnwardly to"t1e"spacevdefined by the structure iandlieat 51.' This fluid `pressure Serves 1f/epancilfthering`Y pistowstructure is formed bythe vpiston ringl',`v`

operating' just as ring G4; andconned between a shoulder Mandaflange'l.` The shoulder .89lis shoe/nas'formed/.externally 4of thesleeve 'l i de mulieatsatl each end withiverticalgpaseaeeuay Thustheylinder Spaaeltie ,in Commun 'l l, This larger piston "structure,yistadapt extensies? i 12?.. inside Ot, thefdeeeadine sleeveed ,to c'ooerate inside ot a cylinderY 111 havin aamtted undetnealth theJpistonVstrMetlife. from..

Conduit 3 .I 'the AYvalve Closure will bei ureedle# rarely by'uidPressureaeainst its-Seat 4 andthe-...g

valve doses.: Thiais; que t@ 'the fact thatlthere,

isagreaterarea.subiectedita the liquidipressure acting, .upwardly clotheassonatea piston ,Strlicdefheadlsbyway'fan aperture TL ThisQref-H cessis -provilige'1 wtlli, a tapered vaperture'19,` in which is a rotatablecontrolvtaper valve plug 80 This :Valve plee-1S,- mae@ in. tuidttigntrelatan:

passageway-1514s; interrupted moet alimentent withthaherizentalipassaefef Way. ,fornlelin theC boss, that.a.G.C QI,1rn0dailS plus* ThiLS, I he rizltfali passageway, .Bt co;

@a wending-.upwardly intothef'ylnder, chamber? f Mg.; The passag'eWay 85isconnetedasby al 1 o zontalazi'al recess 8l; with .theA-.pasbge ,1,8'..Thus when 'foluguis rotated to aline portf wthtrie,`transversfelpsageway 85,7,liquil*und er pressA4 e `A c; passthrouglilapertures85; '86, 8l angl. finto the chamber, 14,1 f

For. the f position 'of the plug, 8@ shownf inil Figs 1, e'flarid 5,.the interipaiofgchambee 1a is c n,-. nectei` to a conduit, 89T. t*Conduite, 89.. is shownas COiDQC'Bd-I t0. a threaded Letzline.01210.11J.nipple 9&2 '-lte- ,bQSSgiexterldine-fromihe'ove l,anteriorbfzihiegbessfl ,in www C0. i nected withl the annular` grooveHl9,?,-riisposed arounltnetapered plug 'Ihis -aI i -nular grpo e 82is .thus in continuous conneetionwiththe cou-, duit 89. A through port 93 isprQV-dedifoLfQrm-f ing a connection betWeen'this annular groove S2 andanaxial aperture ed; This axial aperture isz', in Iturn'in communicationwith av transverse portg'formed in plugl 89; Thisvtransverse port/951'(gLBXisShQu/n as alined with vthe horizontalg; patslgeiaysi ,CQYelmjThpaageways in communication withthe vuprightfpasswaget Itiis`furthermorei apparent-that when taperegw plug 8S isrotatecl ina.counterololgwisqdiigeee tion as viewed in Figa 5,.th e port Sgcanbeplage@ out. of alinement .with passageway -9 6,; tl1ereloy. nterrupting. i thisl communication; and. at fthessamef. y time port@cane-be alineorwithpassageway IBB-atm.

provide communication from the passageway 15 ito the cylinder space 14.

1 The conduit 89 is furthermore in continual communication vwith acontrol cylinder 91, as by the aid of the aperture 98 in cover 18, andthe aperture 99 in the bottom of the cylinder 91. Aperture 98 is incontinuous communication with the annular space 92 of the tapered plug80.

In order to open the valve closure 3, the plug 89 must be rotated to theposition shown in Fig.

l. In this position the liquid pressure from conduit 3| is no longereiective to urge the pistons connected to the closure 3 upwardly.However, fluid pressure may yet be active through conduit 89, recess 92,port 93, aperture 94, port 95, and passageways 88, to hold the valveclosed. As soon as fluid pressure in conduit 89 is released, however,the fluid pressure in conduit 3| is effective to urge the closure 3downwardly and the valve opens. The fluid pressure conditions existingin conduit 89 can be made dependent upon the position of a precedingsprinkler head valve in the system. This pressure can thus be maintaineduntil the preceding valve closes; and immediately thereafter thepressure is released and the valve closure 3 can move downwardly. The

`manner in which this pressure, is controlled in conduit 89 will bedescribed hereinafter.

'The control cylinder 91 is adapted to control the position of taperplug 80 so that these fluid pressures can be eiective to cause the valveto open or close. Operating in cylinder 91 is the control piston,including the piston head 100 having a rod IOI. This rod is guided forvertical movement in the cylinder head |02. The piston head is threadedinto a flanged sleeve |03 having 'a horizontal flange |04. Between head|00 and flange |04 an expansible piston rirg |05 can be confined,subjected at its interior to the pressure existing in chamber 91. Thisisaecomplished by the aid of Va radial aperture |00.

Joined to the rod |0| as by the aid of a pin |01 vis a square rod |08.This square rod is guided in a square aperture |09 of a bracket IIO.This bracket ||0 is shown as fastened to the exterior of the valve bodyas by bolts (Fig. 2). By the aid of a system of links and levers, squarerod |08 is joined to the plug 80 for rotating it. Thus carried by therod |08 is a collar I |2, fastened to the rod |08, as by a through pinII3. A horizontal extension ||4 is supported on collar ||2 and ispivotally joined to a link 5. 'Ihis link in turn is pivoted to arm IISjoined to plug 80. Rotation of plug S0 .by movement of link |I5 is'permitted by the provision of aY slot |I1 in theboss 84.

It is aparent that when the rod |08 moves upwardly to the position shownin Fig. 2, the plug 80 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Acorresponding downward movement of rod |08 causes a counterclockwiserotation of the plug 80, to place cylinder 14 into communication withconduit 3|, and to interrupt communication from cylinder space 14 toconduit 89.

YThe upward movement of the piston structure I00f|03 is obtained byliquid pressure entering cylinder 91 from .conduit 89; or alternativelyan upward mechanical force can be utilized to pull rod |08. For thispurpose rod |08 may be provided with an eye end IIB..` A tension spring||9 however, tends Yto pull the rod y|08 downwardly. For this purposethe spring II9 is disposed around the rod |08 and is enclosed in ahollow pipe-like member |20.` This member forms virtually an extensionof the guide member asoaoe'f Y IIO. Lower end I2I of spring ||9 isanchored into the -m'ember |20. The upper end is anchored as shown at|22 to the rod |08.

When the rod |08 is pulled upwardly to the position shown, it is latchedin that position until it is subsequently unlatehed. For this purpose. aWeighted catch |23 is provided, adapted to engage underneath theshoulder |24 provided on a tapered collar |25 on rod |08. This latch |23is pivoted adjacent its upper end on a pin |26. This pin |26 issupported on opposite walls |21 and |28 of a U-shaped housing |29fastened to the exterior of apron |^9.

While the rod |08 is held in the elevated position shown, fluid pressureis prevented from entering cylinder 14 through passage 15. However,after a certain number of revolutions of the sprinkler head 8, the latch|23 is released and. spring I|9 serves to return the piston structure|00-I03 to its lowermost position, and fluid pressure is then availableto close the valve.

This release mechanism is illustrated most clearly in Figs. 1, 6 and '1.Thus a ratchet wheel |30 is provided, freely rotatable on a pin |3|,passed transversely across the U-shaped extension |29. This ratchetwheel |30 carries one or more pins such as |32, which upon a suiiicientrotation of wheel |30, acts to lift the arm |33 of the latch |23,thereby freeing rod |08. Advancement of ratchet wheel |30 is provided byan advancing pawl |34. This advancing pawl is pivoted by the aid of ascrew |35 on a slidable bar |38. Bar |30 is guided for sliding movementby the aid of a slot |31 in which are disposed a pair oi stationaryguide screws |38. The inner end of the sliding bar |38 is held againstthe outer surface of the rotating sprinkler head body 8 as by a flatleaf spring |39. The body 8, as shown most clearly ink Fig. 6, isprovided with an exterior depression |40. As the depression |40 passesthe inner end of sliding bar |361, the spring |39 is permitted to pullthe sliding bar |36 to the left; and as the depression |40 passes thebar |36, this bar |36 is urged to the right, causing advancement of theratchet wheel |30. It is apparent that after a certain number ofreciprocations of the bar |36 one of the pins |32 will serve to free therod |08.

To prevent reverse rotation of ratchet Wheel |30, a holding pawl |4I canbe provided on pin` |26. l

By referring to Figs. 1 and y1'7, the manner in which the sprinklerheads are operated in se-` quence can now be described. In Fig. 1'1 itis seen that conduit I can be joined as by an upright pipe |42 to acommon header |43. Disposed along the header |43, Which can rununderground, is a number of upright pipes |44, |45, etc. for conductingliquid under pressure to a number of sprinkler head stations 8, |46,|41, etc. The mechanism operating each of the sprinkler heads isindicated in a diagrammatic fashion. The sprinkler head 8 is shown asinactive, andthe sprinkler head at station |48 is indicated as open,succeeding stations being closed.

Let us assume that sprinkler head 8 is in the closed position and thatit is desired to start its operation. In the closed position, liquidpressure is eective in cylinder chamber 14 to urge the piston structure(labeled as |48 in Fig. 1'1) up-` wardly. For the present, it may beassumed that conduit 89 is vented to atmosphere. The sprinkler head 8can thus be made active by pulling efe', AThe vttlize and sprll nderj..erss.lir stepper conduit |50: This 'ii'd'connection is theaiinularspace 's telier" conduit I raise ariston 'stru'cjh ssipjiiiiklei head'8" rei tenista iheetive peeitidh; This decide" as, :stated before, aftera certain lunibei of revolutionsoij' the sprinkler head; The pistdh struetuie|o1o '|us thehietu'riislte the pesitieii shewhi'n Fig. 17', andthere' is' an interruption thefsuiply erliqdid under pressure te thestepper e'ohdit 5|l`; Iiistead the stepper' conduit |50 is o'p to atiosgpher'ethrougli l'ort |49', annular'passageway |53, port |54, cylinderchamber 9'1, anda iidrt' |5 5 through cap I 2, Accordingly, theclosure'3f is deprssdbyiiqi'd pressure in conduit and s ti `Thiseiid'itisnis i1- lus ated'in'Fig-17.

sich als teiihm' betet-fies afiive, @stepper ehhdiiit |s 'o eiippliedwith liquid undef piessureto prepare for the opening ojger'ation"of-valve closure 3 v ai;.stationv 47 @i ,relieleei.SSt@ iiih'e Same as.nientio d heretofore in connection with valve closlf' ed f Y sprinkler;hfe'ed et Stfii (|46, afte. bei'e active for adeinite period, releasesVthe rod |08', causing a rotation o f taper plug 8 0 and`- liquidpressure uis tl'ferlf effeA tiveto Close c1osure Y3 ihr eeereseegewavT51- 'ilie Siaiin |46, then .returns i0 the Pesfiioe illustrated@ thesprihklr heee-. lt As: seems-this.. curs. liq'uid pressure is relievedin stepper conduit |50', and station |41 @meridianen- .f

.Aimant Sie-tiens in euesi es .desired den be operated in the in annerdescribed, Itis possible te restart theycle. before @he @relais fullycc1i| 1plet ed. 4 Thi/'s caneasily igeecjle 755| bro- Vlg-banch line t0anipf 1511? J 9i' 06h:- duits leading beek to the rsusprihkleehed, the'formshown in Figtf 1 7-,f the station |-47 has its stepper conduit |50"provided with a.

sleeve' |51" slotted-as indicated iat; sie? fer When. such astatio1isucceeding' static'irf'lllHfis operated; siirinklerhead''issii-nultan'eoilsly operated, 'as' heretofore described, and ajlievwycycle or wave of ep'er'atien begins. Tisinew eyele=,f-when' it" reachesthefst'atiori' M1 causes a 'third v"cycle to' be' 'started'. This series'can'V becorne'feffectivf-fras'longta's desired: but a lilit-n'iay'beplaced thereoil'a's ibi' the aid of'a needlevaiv rriechanisri' |51 inYeen-duit |565? r discharging inte` a tiltingV measuring* `bfu'cletI Thislo'ucket,` when' sufficiently loaded; tilts* and operates a valve-'1seein conduit |56," t'interrupt communication" from stepperednduittdthenriitetdtien.; This interruption-'is effective 'o'nlvja-fterth"bu'cket"| 5 8 is 'loaded sufficiently; yand by a' propeifdegre'eiiofiopening ofn'ee'dle" valve |51 this' can be' effective only afte'r'a'lcertainv numberoficycles of 'operatio'n's f the sir'inkler'head.

Although n'inllal meetns'fr Starting the first Valv is' indicated, it,sapp'arent thtlt11e-l10'd 08 caribe arranged 'to be 'operatedautomatically' inresponse to deniteconditins', suclasrh'umi-j ity andtemperature.

Iii the form showiijiiiLFi'g." l, the pop'piighp ofy the sprinkler.headl S" is provided" forU Witlfref. spectto the stationary 'casin'g.I'ritlie" f'rnjif shown 'in Fig.' 16, the entire' casing'ii 'can'bferaisfed by. fluid -pr'essure in conduit `instead ofrrieifely thehead- 1.`V This ',isac'complislie'd' bil providing' casingeiwith a.downwardly extendingtelesconing he accommodation ete; guide' pin.. |59.Tliisguidje pin |59- eiitends'. throi'l'gh' thel ubxvardlydire'cted.branch |651' efzeonddit" 'en which head site comm'odated. Itli'sapparentI th'at'fliquidf-pressure' ini ciiiuliitIA- Wil'llat-vori thebbtt'm lwersrfac'e of thesleeve |51 to raiseit, sircelqu'id'pres'sui'eis available' underneath the casing'l Itiefnot'eesential that thesprinkler heads be rotated continuouslyinV one' direction'.a In the'.forni shown in Figs. 13,-- 14"ai1dl5 th'e' sprinkler head `8 is`- shownso arranged that' it-reverscsjits direction of`rotation after each'half' orict'hfer fraction of a revolution.

In'this fermof the.inveiitio, the casing is s b sttute`d for casig'. 5`.The' sprinkler' body |62"corr'es ponds to sprinkler hody 8.' It is,however,v restrained against'u'pward movement, it

being the intention, in' this form, toraise` the Whole casing. |61 asillustrated in Fig. 16.

Tli'e'tri of thecasing i6! is formed by a. supe elemental threaded e:teii.f--,ic nV les. This extension hasla downwardly' c lirectedV tubularguide H54` and an upper flange {65' in which the sleeve |65 vj c'iinedto the body. |62', can berotated. In addition to the top' internal gear52, a bevel'gear 6"| sho'wfn, guided for rotary movementv as by itshule` |68' inside of the guide |64. This bevel gear is provided'Withspols |69 joined to hub l'jfl;y vvhich is fastenedto trie'shaftv 21.Spokes |69" are` inechanically coupled to the sleeve' |55', so thatrotation ofv bevel gear I 61' in either directieh wil'liiiipart ietatiehte the Sprinkler body This rdtdtieh is eireeted alternately ih espe'-site' directions. One of these directions is secured by' a series ofgearing. Thus the vinternal gear (corresponding to gear 52 of Fig. 1')is provided at its upper surface with a mutilated'l bevel gear |12?.'I'his bevelV gearing extends for onehalf revolution, as indicated mostclearly in Fig.

14. As the bevel gear |12 rotates in a counter clockwise direction, asindicated by arrow |13 of Fig. 14, it carries gear |61 around with it.This is accomplished by the aid of alatch |14 pivoted on a pin |15 ongear wheel |12. This latch is urged by gravity to the position indicatedin Fig, 15, so that an abutting surface |16' can cooperate with anabutment |16 depending downwardly from the hub |11 of the bevel gear|61. The abutment |16 is shown in Fig. 13 as having been advanced to apoint corresponding to the axis of' a small bevel pinionv|11; and inFig. l5, the abutment |16 has not yet reached that position.

During that portion of the revolution of mutilated Agear |12 duringwhich it is out ofv mesh with bevel pinion |11', the drive between gear|12 and abutment |16 is effective. However, as soon as mutilated gear|12 is about to enter into engagement with the bevel pinion |11', thelatch |14 is depressed out of contact with abutment |16, as by the aidof the stationary collar |16. This stationary collar |18 acts upon a camsurface |19 at the forward end of latch |14, and depresses it at itsforward end. In this way, the latch |14 passes underneath the abutment|16. At the same time, bevel pinion |11 is rotated by the mutilated gear|12. This pinion, being in continual mesh with bevel gear |61 serves todrlveit in a clockwise direction for a half revolution, corresponding tothe angular extent of the mutilated gear |12. At the end of the halfrevolution, the latch |14 again engages abutment |16, which has beenbrought back a half revolution in a clockwise direction, by the rotationo`f gear |61, to a line diametrically opposite to the aids ciy bevelpinion |11; that is, at the right hand side of the shaft 21 as viewed inFig. 14. For the next half revolution, therefore, the movement is againcounterclockwi'se, as illustrated in Fig. 14, until latch |14 is againdisengaged by the stationary member |18. The clockwise rotation for ahalf revolution is then repeated.

The alternate half revolutions continue aS lont',f as the sprinkler isactive. As before, the sprinkler head |62 can be provided withadepression similar to depression |40 in Fig. 6 to actuate the releasingmechanism once during each half revolution.

What is claimed is:

l. In a system of the character described: a series of liquid dischargemeans; means for supplying each of said discharge means with liquidunder pressure; a series of valves respectively associated with thedischarge means for con-A trolling the passage of liquid thereto, saidseries of valves having at least a first valve and a second valve; meansprovided for each valve and actuated by the pressure of the liquid forurging the respective valve to closed position; means forming a passagefor the liquid under pressure to the means provided for the second valvefor urging said second valve to closed position; means responsive to theclosing of the iirst valve for interrupting said passage; means forminga vent port; said passage being placed in communication with said portby the closing of said flrst valve to relieve the pressure in saidconnection to permit the second valve to open; and a device for causingsaid liquid pressure actuated means for urging the second valve toclosed position, to close said second valve substantially immediatelyupon the conclusion of a limited interval.

2. In a system of the character described: a series of liquid dischargemeans; means for supplying each of said discharge means with liquidunder pressure; a series of valve structures respectively associatedwith-said discharge means for controlling the passage of y liquidthereto, there being at least a first valve structurev and a secondvalve structure in said series of valve structures, each of said valvestructures including a main valve closure, -a main fluid pressurecylinder, an auxiliary control cylinder, and a piston in each cylinder;means for causing the pressure of the liquid in the main cylinder of thesecond valve structure to urge the main valve closure toward closedposition; a control valve operated by the piston in the auxiliarycylinder of the second valve structure; means forming a conduitconnecting said'control valve to the first main valve structure, as Wellas to the main fluid pressure cylinder for the second valve structure;means forming a vent port; said conduit being so arranged that, when thefirst `main valve structure is open, said conduit is supplied withliquid under pressure; and, when the first main valve structure isclosed, said conduit is vented through said port; and means connectingsaid control cylinder for the second valve structure with said conduit,ywhereby said control valve, associated with the second main valvestructure, operates to connect the main valve cylinder of the secondmain valve structure to the conduit upon opening of the first' mainvalve structure, so as to permit the second main Valve structure to openwhen the first main valve structure is closed.

3. In a system of the character described, a

series of liquid discharge valves adapted to opery ate in sequence andto have a cycle of operation, means for supplying said valves withliquid under pressure, valve mechanism associated with each valve forcontrolling the discharge of liquid thereby, said valve mechanismincluding means whereby the liquid pressure from the supply means iseffective to close the valve, as well vas means to open the valve andmeans to cause said liquid pressure to close the valve after a limitedinterval, means to cause the valve of a beginning device to open andinitiate acycle of operation, and means whereby the closing of eachvalve will relieve theliquid pressure on the valve of the nextsucceeding device to 'cause vsaid valve to open.

4. In a system of the character described, a series of liquid dischargevalves adapted to operate in sequence and to have a cycle of (operation,means for supplying said valves with liquid under pressure, valvemechanism associated with each valve for controlling the discharge ofliquid thereby, said valve mechanism including means whereby the liquidpressure from the supply means is effective to maintain the valveclosed, as well as means to open the valve and means to close the valveafter a predeterminedv interval, means to cause the valve of a beginningdevice to open and initiate a cycle of operation, means whereby theclosing of each valve will relieve the fluid pressure on the valve ofthe next succeeding device to cause said valve to open, and meanswhereby the closing of at least one of said valves preceding the endvalve, will also relieve the iiuid pressure on the valve of -a precedingdevice to cause said last mentioned valve to open, whereby a secondcycle of operations is initiated before the termination of the firstcycle.

5. In a system of the character described, a series of liquid dischargevalves adapted to operate in lsequence and to have a cycle of operation,means for supplying said valves with liquid under pressure, valvemechanism associated with each valve for controlling the discharge ofliquid thereby, said valve mechanism including means Whereby the liquidpressure from the supply means is eiective to maintain the valve closed,and means whereby the pressure of the supply means is effective to openthe valve upon relief of pressure from the means for maintaining thevalve closed, means to relieve said valve from said liquid pressure topermit the valve to open, including means forming a port associated withthe valve in the preceding device, and adapted to be opened by theclosing of the said valve in the preceding device, and a connectionbetween said port and the means whereby the liquid pressure from thesaid supply means maintains the said succeeding valve closed.

6. In a system of the character described, a series of liquid dischargevalves adapted to operate in sequence and to have a cycle of operation,means for supplying said valves with liquid under pressure, valvemechanism associated with each valve for controlling the discharge ofliquid thereby, said valve mechanism including a closure, and a pistondirectly connected to the closure adapted to be actuated to close thevalve by the liquid pressure from the supply means, a pilot valveincluding a passage to control said pressure on the piston, meansforming a port adapted to be controlled by a preceding discharge valveto place the port in communication with said supply means or to permitpressure to be discharged from the port, and a conduit connecting saidport and said passage.

7. In a. system of the character described, a series of liquid dischargevalves adapted to operate in sequence and to have a cycle of operation,means for supplying said valves with liquid under pressure, valvemechanism associated with each valve for controlling the discharge ofliquid thereby, said valve mechanism including a closure, and a pistondirectly connected to the closure adapted to be actuatedv to close thevalve by the liquid pressure from the supply means, and means vactuatedby another discharge valve of said series for controlling the pressureon said piston.

8. In a system for irrigation, a series of valves each comprising asingle movable closure element, means for supplying each of said valveswith liquid under pressure, means whereby the said liquid urges each ofthe valves to closed position, means operated by the closing of apreceding Valve to release said pressure and thereby cause thesucceeding valve to open, and means to cause said pressure to close saidsucceeding valve after a limited interval.

9. In a system for irrigation, a series of valves, means for supplyingsaid valves with liquid under pressure, each of said valves includingmeans whereby said liquid is effective to urge the valve to closedposition, as well as means to cause the valve to open, means to actuatethe opening means of the beginning valve of the series to cause saidValve to open and initiate a cycle of operations, in which cycle alllthe valves are opened and closed, means to cause the liquid pressure toclose said beginning valve after a predetermined period of discharge,means operated by the closing of said beginning valve to release theliquid pressureholding the succeeding valve closed, thereby causing saidsucceeding valve to open, means to cause the liquid pressure to closesaid succeeding valve after a limited period of discharge, andsupplemental means operated by the discharge from one of the valves toterminate the operation of the series after any desired number ofcycles.

10. In a system of the character described, a plurality of main valvesadapted to be serially opened and closed, and controlling the passage ofiluid under pressure, each of said valves having a closure, as well asmeans associated with the closure for urging the closure toward openposition, and a fluid pressure operating mechanism associated with eachvalve, including a pressure operated valve mechanism, a. pair ofconduits adapted independently to conduct iluid pressure to therespective valve operating mechanism for urging the closure to closedposition, each of said conduits being valved, means operated upon theopening of a preceding main valve to close one of said conduits and toopen the other, said other conduit having a port controlled by movementof the closure of said preceding valve to admit fluid under pressure tosaid other conduit only when said closure is in open position and tovent said other conduit when said closure is in closed position, torelease the fluid pressure from the operating mechanism of thesucceeding valve to permit the succeeding valve to open, and meansensuring the return of the conduits to initial condition upon acompletion of a. period of discharge of the corresponding main valve.

KATHERINE DE LACY-MULHALL. Administratria: of the Estate of Patrick DeLacy- Mulhall, Deceased.

